Coming down heavily on vehicles that cause pollution, the chief judicial magistrate, Lucknow has directed the RTO to crack down on diesel-run tempos in the city.

The move comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report in which the city is listed as among the most polluted in the world.

In July 2006, the Regional Transport Authority had banned the operation of diesel tempos and other public transport vehicles. Such vehicles can ply only after conversion into CNG mode.

District magistrate Raj Shekhar said despite diesel tempos being banned there were complaints some of them were still plying. The authorities have now directed fuel pumps in Lucknow to not refuel these diesel tempos while special warning has been given to those found flouting the order.

Their licenses may be suspended or cancelled while licenses of drivers of diesel tempos will also be cancelled if they are found plying within city limits. The diesel tempos will also be impounded.